Turner: Lot of people have doubted me

Two scouting reports on Padres' No. 13 overall pick

The Padres selected N.C. State shortstop Trea Turner with the No. 13 overall pick in the 2014 draft. In this 2013 photo while playing for the United States, Turner (3) is greeted at the dugout by teammate Taylor Sparks, right, after he scored a run against Cuba on a sacrifice fly by Michael Conforto in the fourth inning of an exhibition baseball game in Papillion, Neb., Saturday, July 20, 2013.
— (AP Photo/Nati Harnik)

The Padres selected N.C. State shortstop Trea Turner with the No. 13 overall pick in the 2014 draft. In this 2013 photo while playing for the United States, Turner (3) is greeted at the dugout by teammate Taylor Sparks, right, after he scored a run against Cuba on a sacrifice fly by Michael Conforto in the fourth inning of an exhibition baseball game in Papillion, Neb., Saturday, July 20, 2013.
/ (AP Photo/Nati Harnik)

He welcomed it as a 5-foot-4 freshman in high school and again as lightly-recruited collegiate prospect in the hotbed that is Florida baseball.

That’s how why he turned down a six-figure offer from the Pirates as a 20th-round selection in 2011. That’s how the Lake Worth, Fla., native ended up out of state at North Carolina State.

There, he grew into a 6-foot-1, 171-pound frame. He added power, too, to a tool box that has speed as his No. 1 asset.

Three years later, Turner is looking at a seven-figure bonus as the Padres’ first-round pick. The No. 13 overall selection is valued at $2.72 million in Major League Baseball’s slotting rules.

“It was my goal to do what I did and go as high as I can,” Turner said on a conference call with San Diego media. “A lot of people have doubted me. I use that as motivation to keep proving people wrong.”

The naysayers are already lining up, too.

Although the 20-year-old shortstop has improved his home run total each year at N.C. State – from five to seven to eight – MLB Network analyst Harold Reynolds was among those questioning Turner’s ability to continue hitting as a pro during Thursday's draft broadcast. In 2014 alone, Turner’s triple-slash slipped from .368/.455/.553 to .321/.418/.516 from his sophomore to junior season.

Two scouting reports expand on those concerns, as well as game-changing speed.

“Few players have been as good as Turner over the last two years in college baseball, impressing at the plate, on the bases and in the field, but there are questions about his overall upside. His swing is geared towards contact and he has excellent hand-eye coordination and rarely strikes out, but he does have a considerable amount of drift in his swing and his hands can fall behind as well. Turner's swing, below-average bat-speed, and frame are not conducive to power as well, and might struggle to put balls into the gap against better competition.

There are no questions, however, about his speed or glove. He has true 80-grade speed and can make a difference on the bases, and gets great jumps. He puts that speed to good use in the field as well, making plays to his left and right and has good enough footwork to make up for an average – but accurate – arm.

The lack of projection in Turner's bat could hurt him come draft day, but at his best he's an above-average shortstop who can change games with his speed."

"Though Turner stands out most for his top-of-the-scale speed, he's more than just a burner. With his wheels and ability to make contact and control the strike zone, he has the tools to become a quality leadoff hitter at the Major League level. The key will be toning down his swing, which can get long, and his approach, which can get a little out of control. He can get home run-conscious and would be best served by focusing on getting on base, where his speed and instincts make him a prime base-stealing threat."